Authorities in Australia have been coping with multiple incursions of Vietnamese and Indonesian fishing vessels fishing illegally in the country’s exclusive economic zone.
On 2 December, a Vietnamese fishing vessel was spotted by a surveillance flight near the Saumarez Reef, approximately 400 kilometers northeast of Gladstone. The vessel was intercepted by the HMAS Pirie and was found to be carrying seven metric tons of sea cucumber and diving gear. The vessel was escorted into Gladstone where its 17 crewmembers have been detained while awaiting charges.
In the prior month, two additional vessels were also stopped from illegally fishing in Australian waters due to action from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the Maritime Border Command and the Australian Border Force.
On 25 November, 16 Vietnamese fishermen appeared at Darwin Magistrates Court after being apprehended while fishing illegally northeast of Gladstone on 3 November. The vessel’s captain received four months in jail after pleading guilty to two offences. One of the crew was found to have been previously convicted of illegal fishing in June 2016 and is now serving a two-month prison sentence. The other 14 crewmen were given suspended two-month sentences and one-year good behavior bonds.
On 30 November, two Indonesian fishermen who had been caught on 6 November fishing about 150 kilometers northwest of Cape Londonderry appeared before the same court. The captain entered a plea of not guilty and is awaiting trail; the crew member was convicted of illegal fishing and received a fine of AUD 1,500 (USD 1,120, EUR 1,040). Their vessel, the Berkah III, was destroyed.
Maritime Border Command Acting Commander Stephen Alexander said the actions were the result of 24/7 coverage of Australia’s waters by his organization.
“MBC is committed to working together with AFMA to stop illegal fishing and protect Australia’s unique maritime resources,” he said. “The net is closing on this fishing in our waters.”
Australia works closely with regional partners including France, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia to intercepting vessels and punishing those found to be fishing illegally, Alexander said.
“We have had a proven deterrence effect for illegal foreign fishing; with 367 apprehensions of illegal foreign fishing vessels in 2005-06 down to 20 apprehensions in 2015-16,” Alexander said. “This demonstrates MBC’s commitment and success in increasing greater compliance to fishing laws in our waters.”
